Upamecano, Laimer, Kimmich
Injury concerns weigh heavily on FC Bayern
January 25, 2024, 6:03 p.m
FC Bayern Munich has to cope with further defensive failures. Dayot Upamecano and Konrad Laimer were injured in the win against Union Berlin, one was out for weeks and one possibly for months. There is also a risk of Joshua Kimmich failing, and a new addition is coming into focus.
FC Bayern Munich will have to be without central defender Dayot Upamecano and defensive player Konrad Laimer for some time. Both defensive regulars sustained muscle injuries in the 1-0 Bundesliga catch-up game against Union Berlin on Wednesday evening.
“It’s a fiber injury in the back of the thigh,” said coach Thomas Tuchel to central defender Upamecano. “It’s a matter of weeks, not days. This is extremely bitter for Upa and for us. He has been in absolutely top form for many weeks.”
Laimer left the arena limping. “I hope that it is as little as possible,” said the Austrian. This hope does not seem to be fulfilled. The TV broadcaster Sky reported that Laimer could possibly be out until March with a torn muscle fiber in his calf, which also affected the tendon. There was no confirmation from the club. Tuchel is expected to provide more detailed information in the press conference on Friday about the upcoming game against FC Augsburg.
Midfielder Laimer, who had to help out as a right full-back due to the personnel shortages in the defense, would also miss the top Bundesliga game in Leverkusen and the first leg of the round of 16 in the Champions League against Lazio if he was out for such a long time. National player Joshua Kimmich may also be at risk of failure. He suffered a shoulder injury after the Union game.
Since Minjae Kim is still missing due to his secondment for the Asian Cup, new signing Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) is moving into focus in the center of defense after Upamecano’s loss. Against Berlin he came on for the Frenchman Upamecano at half-time and had a solid debut. He was not given any major tasks. On Saturday, Dier could appear in the Munich starting eleven for the first time in Augsburg.